Chelsea FC Midfielder Mikel Close To Joining Inter Milan

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Chelsea FC midfielder John Obi Mikel is close to joining Inter Milan in the summer as the London club head towards an end-of-season clear-out.

John Obi Mikel has been at the fringes of first team action this season as he has made only ten starts in the Premier League. The 27-year-old arrived at the club in 2006, but there is a feeling that he has never really fulfilled his potential. Injuries have hampered his career as well as inconsistence performances, and reports suggest that his stint at Stamford Bridge is about to end in the summer.

The London club are heading towards a trophy-less campaign and Jose Mourinho is expected to make a lot of changes to the squad in the summer. A lot of veterans will depart from the Stamford Bridge and there are doubts about the future of Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Mikel, David Luiz, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres. Mikel’s current contract with Chelsea runs till 2017, but he is desperate to look for regular first team action.

Reports have linked the Chelsea midfielder with a move to Inter Milan and Mikel’s agent, John Shittu, has confirmed those reports and revealed that they are in talks with the Italian club.

“Inter? What I can tell you is that I met with my client and the directors and they are interested in him.

“He is a great player who won the Champions League and the Africa Cup of Nations, so he is suited to Inter’s standards.

“I cannot tell you anything more on the negotiations. The fact remains that Mikel now has a contract with the Blues.” – Mikel’s agent said in an interview.

Inter are also expected to undergo massive changes in the summer as new owner Erick Thohir looks to invest in the squad. Inter have struggled this season and will miss out on Champions League football once again. Thohir has already expressed his desire to bring in experienced footballers in the summer and a host of players have already been linked with them. If their move for Mikel materializes, the Chelsea midfielder will join Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic at San Siro, who has already signed for the Italian club.